RHP Ryne Stanek was a little disappointed to drop in last month's draft to the 29th pick.

And after signing with Rays on Tuesday, for the slot value of $1,758,300, Stanek is ready to start the process of proving the other teams wrong.

"Of course, I always try to play with a little chip on my shoulder,'' Stanek said. "I have a really good opportunity here with (the Rays) and I'm just excited to get playing and start working.''

Stanek, 21, will report to Port Charlotte Wednesday to start getting back to game shape, having last pitched in the NCAA regionals in May, and then be assigned to short-season Class A Hudson Valley and used as a starter.

After going 10-2 with a 1.39 ERA in 16 starts as a junior for Arkansas (ranked the No. 13 prospect in the draft by Baseball America), 22-8, 2.55 ERA over three seasons, the decision to go pro was actually easy.

"I love Arkansas but I felt like I'd done a lot there and I felt like this was a really, really good opportunity for me,'' Stanek said. "So I don't feel like it was that hard.''

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The Tampa Bay Rays will head into the 2015 season with Evan Longoria, Chris Archer, Alex Cobb and plenty of new faces, including manager Kevin Cash. Can they upend the Orioles in the highly competitive AL East? Come here to follow Rays news at Tropicana Field and beyond.